Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1887-01-22
I'm THE PHARAoEzs, LAND.

JOurneyfngs of a western Millionaire
Formerly of New Haven-A PetrO
Ieum ship ON Fire-The Motley
Crowds of UairO,s Streets-A Birds
Eye view of the CIty-The Pyramids
Sights and Wonders OF the Festival.
We are permitted to use the following
private letter from Mr.. Charles Winship of
Minneapolis, Minnesota, brother of Mr..
Leonard Winship and Mrs. John 81. Benham
of this city. Mr.. Winship, it will be seen,
is heartily enjoying his well earned leisure in
a trip to the Orient. After leaving Egypt
he visits the Empire of the Celestials, return
ing thence homeward via San Francisco:
CAIRO, Egypt, Nov. 80, 1886.
Dear brother-You have probably received
my letters of November and 10th. Well,
my dear brother, here we are, in the ancient
land of Egypt, and it now really seems as if
we were on another planet On reaching AL
exandria we were treated to the rare exhibit
ton of ship on fire. But strange, as it may
seem, large ship filed with petroleum in a
blaze directly in front of us was not of suff-
Gent interest to draw our attention even for
a moment from the interesting scenes
going on before US on shore. We were now
surely among the Orientals. Some scenes in
the opera of La Africapne might give you
some idea, but my pen is inadequate to fully
describe the strange exhibition of oriental
Egyptians of every tribe in their novel cos
tunes, and some with hardly any costumes
at all, Wed in savagely yelling and gestlcu-
lating at one another and at the passengers.
AS sool any baggage left the ship 1t was
seized with a great struggle and pulling both
ways and all was as entertaining as any comic
opera We would have remained long to
witness the countenances of passengers about
to run the gauntlet, but our stay must be
short in Alexandria, so we at once arranged
with a dragoman to guide US during
our stay, and after hearty goodbye to our
captain and new-made friends, safely passed
under the escort of our dragoman unmolest-
ed TO our carriage.
After good breakfast we were soon seat
ed behind our guide, richly turbaned,
and intent on sightseeing, were driven about.
'Pompey's Pillar" came first, and we then
started on long drive through the aristo-
cratic oriental villas, passing the Khed1ve's
suburban palace also some of the ladies of
his household, who were driving in state
with uniformed outrunners trottlng on foot
in front with long slaves in their hands. We
were permitted to 60 through the grounds,
also all of the apartments of one of the finest
villas. The interior was dazzling in large
glass chandeliers and costly decorations. We
also received permit from Osman Pasha,
the chief minister, to visit the palace. But
we must on to Cairo, the center of oriental
life, and am sure we will never forget our
but there was a camel path quite near the
cars forming grand highway, and giving us
one of the most animated and interesting
panoramas eyes ever beheld. Hardly sec
ond of time but some interesting object was
before US, and canaels bearing heavy loads
were constantly passing. and some SO near we
could almost touch them We must have seen
more than two thousand camels, donkeys
without number, buffalo which are used in
place of cattle, natives all in oriental dress
except a few without any dress-all this and
much more went to make up notable pic
ture on this tainly the most interesting
trip of lifetime.
As in Alexandria, so in Cairo we engaged
our dragoman and carriage for Cairo. There
is nothing like street scene in Cairo on the
face of the globe; streets packed with Orien-
tails, donkeys, camels, natives, merchandise
en- route, ETC., etc. We first went to the
citadel, fertilization heavily garrisoned, and
from the top commanding magnificent
view of the surrounding country. The
mosque F'Mohamned Alp Zone of the fnest)
is within the enclosure of the citadel, and
after putting on slippers we were taken in to
mingle with the Mohammedan worshippers.
Leaving this magnificent mosque we went to
the outer wall for a view. The entire city
was beneath US, and the grand old pyramids
looming up in the distance filled US with
deep emotion. Our guide took US through
one mosque after another, passing the ba
zaars and crowded streets. Our credulity is
often taxed with the wonderful stories
of Bible times. We are shewn
"Joseph's WE'LL" deep pit hewn
from solid rock into which Gas we are told}
Joseph was thrust; also the t'Virgin tree,''
which has the credit of hiding Mary and her
child; Moses spring, ETC., and we told
we will soon embark on Our next voyage
near the very spot where the Israelites passed
through the Red Sea. We have seen the
pyramids Zone of the great wonders) as our
carriage dropped at the base of the largest
pyramid as we stood beneath this stupen-
dous monument our expectations were not at
all disappointed. We have seen the Khedive
driving in state with his guard of twenty
horsemen and twice my salute was pleasantly
returned. I must not forget the Sphinx,
colossal monument hewn from the natural
rock representing lion with the face of a
man.
We yet have busy week of sight seeing
before us, during which time intend to
see the dancing and bowling dervishes, the
tombs of the Khalifs and Mamelukes, and,
much the most interesting of all the fair and
festival OF the pilgrims commemorating their
safe return from Mecca. We have already
had a foretasse by driving through the
grounds cireled by hundreds of large fancy
tents. Outside shows already in full
blast with the clang of many bands of music,
wild Nubian dances, handsome Greek dane
ing girls, etc. Well, my dear brother I have
tired myself out and fear this will also tire
you out. With much love to Frank.
Truly yours, G.